Morning Rituals
It is believed in Ayurveda that the way we start our day is how we will feel for the duration of the day. If we start our day rushed and stressed then we will feel unsettled and agitated throughout the day. By contrast, if we start our day by rising with the sun and engaging in a few simple practices to cleanse the body of toxins and cultivate peace in our mind, then it sets the tone for a calm and blissful day. Here are a few morning rituals to prepare your mind and body to take on the day.
Tongue scraping
Our bodies cleanse themselves of toxins and bacteria overnight and deposit them on the surface of the tongue. This coating on the tongue is known in Ayurveda as ‘Ama’. We want to remove these toxins from the tongue, otherwise they are reabsorbed and enter your gastrointestinal tract. Tongue scraping every morning as soon as you wake either before or after brushing your teeth is a direct way of removing Ama from your physiology. Benefits include digestive health, increased immunity, dental hygiene, and quality of taste.
Oil pulling
Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing oil in your mouth for up to 20 minutes like a mouthwash. Bacteria and plaque binds with the oil and is then disposed of when you spit it out, which purifies the mouth of harmful toxins. You can walk around the house, get dressed, and perform your usual morning activities while oil pulling. Benefits include oral hygiene, healthy gums, improved digestion and immune system.
Warm water
Ayurveda recommends starting your day with warm water because it is absorbed more quickly by the body than cold water and is therefore the best way to rehydrate and eliminate toxins from the body. Not only does warm water rehydrate and dissolve Ama from the system but it also stimulates your digestive fire and enhances your metabolism. This means you are more able to digest your meals and make the most of the energy and nutrients you consume.
Movement
Whether it’s a few simple yoga asana, a brisk walk with the dog, or hitting the gym, starting your day with movement energises the body and the mind. Find what kind of movement is right for you and schedule it. It doesn’t have to be long, or intense, but having some sort of physical movement in the morning will increase the flow of prana throughout your body and help quiet your mind. You can even switch up what kind of movement you do every day to keep your routine interesting.
Meditation
Incorporating meditation into your daily morning routine sets a tone of calm and peace of mind and helps you adapt to challenges throughout the day. It also gives you more energy, allows you to think more clearly, make better decisions even under pressure, and an increase in productivity follows. There is nothing more beautiful than spending time in meditation observing the stillness of the earth as the sun rises.
Intention setting
Meditation is the most fertile ground for setting your heartfelt intentions, your sankalpapractice. It is believed that when the mind is in a state of Being, the sankalpa can be written on the subconscious. Why not take a few minutes at the end of your morning meditation to bring your sankalpa into your awareness? When you get clear on how you want your day to go or what you want to feel or accomplish, you can make clear decisions that create the life you truly want to live.
Gradually weaving some or all of these practices into your morning routine, or dinacharya, will help restore mind-body balance. Big changes start with small habits.What will you incorporate into your morning routine?